circumstances around him. It’s understandable that the emphasis is placed on Peter’s lack of faith, especially since Jesus mentioned it after saving him.

If you have heard this type of sermon many times before, then it’s time to hear another version of that story. It’s time to see things from a different angle now. Let’s look at his story very closely and we will pick out some things that perhaps you may not have considered before.

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Lk. 14:22-33)

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The fact that Peter took a step instead of staying in the boat he guaranteed himself an encounter with Jesus.

Matthew 14:29

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

You’ve probably heard this scripture referred to in a sermon about a dozen times or more. Like me, you’ve probably heard the emphasis placed on Peter’s lack of faith after he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the

Many of us respond to Jesus in a similar fashion even today. Haven’t you ever said, “Jesus, if that was you asking me to…do…or say…such and such, then please give me a sign, a signal, or make it clear to me that it is you.” Now, let’s be honest. How many times have you done this?

Does this mean you don’t have faith? Certainly not! Peter had every right to ask for confirmation just like you do on occasion. There is nothing inherently wrong about getting confirmation from Jesus.

Let’s look at what happens next and let’s see it from a different perspective. After Jesus affirms that it is Him, and says, “Come,” then Peter took his first step and began to walk on the water. The fact that Peter took the step is an act of faith in and of itself.

Walking on water is not only a miracle, but it becomes evidence of Peter’s faith in Christ. Peter overcomes the natural laws of this world by faith. As we read on, we find that by taking his eyes off of Jesus he conforms to the natural laws of this world and begins to sink.

However, in the middle of Peter’s crisis, in the middle of his situation where death is a possibility, Peter calls out to Jesus to save his life. Peter had enough faith to call out to Jesus, and had enough faith to believe that Jesus would save him.

Of course, Jesus reached out and saved him and brought him back into the boat. As they did, the storm calmed down. Even though Jesus said, “oh you of little faith, why did you doubt”, take note that Jesus didn’t say, “Peter, you are faithless. You have no faith at all.” Instead he said, “oh you of little faith.” Something to remember, is that it was Jesus who said that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you could tell a mountain to move.

In this case Peter had little faith and he used it to call out for Jesus to save him. What was the doubting part then? Peter doubted the original word (command) to come. When you forget God’s word about your life, you naturally look around yourself for assurance. Unfortunately, assurance is something the world cannot offer.

Looking at Peter’s story in its entirety you should be able to see it this way: Peter had enough faith to take a step on the water and had enough faith to call out to Jesus. No matter how you look at this story, Peter was a success. How so you might ask? The fact that Peter took a step instead of staying in the boat he guaranteed himself an encounter with Jesus. By taking a step, he would either participate in the miracle of walking on water, or he would be saved by the hand of Christ. Either way, Peter wins!

Taking a step out of the boat, and taking a step in a direction that you believe will lead you to Jesus pretty much guarantees that you will meet up with Jesus either by miracle, or by Jesus reaching out to save you.

It’s time to take action. You have just enough faith to get you closer to Christ. Take that leap of faith. Be wise and prepare to step out by making sure you call out to Jesus first. Do all that you know to do in order to be ready to walk out the path God has arranged for you. Get that education you have longed for, or start that ministry that was placed in your heart, forgive that person you know you should, and prepare to receive your harvest. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust the word that he has placed in your heart. Take that step, knowing that if you walk on water or sink, Jesus is right there waiting for you.

Let’s begin in verse 26. Notice that the disciples were afraid. After all, what they saw was unnatural and probably very frightening.

In verse 27 Jesus tells them not to be afraid. He made it clear to them that it was Him. But now, pay close attention to what follows. The disciples wanted proof that it was Him. They needed to know that it was Jesus so that they can stop being afraid. In order to stop being afraid Peter makes this unusual request: “if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”